The Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU presented its agriculture and fisheries work programme in Brussels on Monday 23 January, laying emphasis on the market situation, trade agreements, organic farming (a compromise text could be presented at the meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture on 27 February) and the omnibus regulation (see EUROPE 11696).
Roderick Galdes, Maltese Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights said in Council that a draft compromise text on the omnibus regulation would be presented in April.
“We are at a crossroads (on organic farming) and need to find a solid legal framework and realistic solutions to break the deadlock”, he said. He added that organic farmers had to be given greater certainty. The Maltese Presidency hopes to be granted a new mandate on this matter between now and February. Three trialogues to come to agreement with the European Parliament would then be organised after the end of March. “The time has come to see if we can reach agreement under the Maltese Presidency”, commented Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan. He urged a final effort to conclude matters and provide the sector with a stable framework.
Future of the CAP. The Commission’s work programme makes simplification and modernisation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) a priority for 2017, Hogan stated. He confirmed that a communication on the future of the CAP would be presented before the end of this year after a 12-week public consultation to be opened in February (see EUROPE 11708).
On 6 March, the Agriculture Council will hold an exchange of views on the future of the CAP. Also on the agenda for that meeting will be improving the operation of the food supply chain (see EUROPE 11691).
The Commission will also submit a report on the implementation of measures on the greening of direct aid.
Task force on water management in agriculture. At the informal meeting of the Agriculture Council in Valletta from 21 to 23 May, ministers will discuss how agriculture will have to adapt to climate change, in particular in the area of water management. Hogan stated that, along with Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, he had set up a task force on water in agriculture.
Another issue to be discussed in the first six months of this year is the review of the legislation on veterinary medicines and medicated feed.
Galdes also spoke about forestry (preparation for the 2nd United Nations forum on forests in May 2017, with preparation of the EU position on sustainable forest management).
In the veterinary and phytosanitary field, Malta wants to put the emphasis on putting in place measures to monitor and eradicate outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu). A further Maltese priority is antimicrobial resistance.
Lastly, the Presidency will keep a close eye on the market situation and ensure that the Council is regularly updated on developments in ongoing trade negotiations (see other articles). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)